Man City handed double boost as Erling Haaland returns to training in Abu Dhabi along with fellow Fifpro World XI star

11 months ago 68

ERLING HAALAND handed Manchester City a major boost by returning to training with the rest of the squad.

The Norwegian forward has been sidelined since he suffered a stress injury to his foot in the 1-0 defeat at Aston Villa on December 6.

Haaland is back in first team training[/caption]

In that time the Treble-winners have played nine matches — including the two that saw them lift the Club World Cup before Christmas.

Haaland, 23, did a light session on Monday in Abu Dhabi in what will be a huge lift to Pep Guardiola and his side.

City return home tomorrow to prepare for Friday’s FA Cup fourth-round trip to Tottenham — the start of a busy few weeks.

However, boss Guardiola is likely to be cautious with his superstar forward this time.

Haaland returned to training at the start of January ahead of the 5-0 Cup rout of Huddersfield in round three of the FA Cup, only to be ordered to rest as he could still feel the injury.

That setback now looks to be behind him and City will be praying he is soon back in the squad.

Guardiola said ahead of his side’s last match — a 3-2 win at Newcastle on January 13 — that he hoped Haaland would be back for the end of the month and that looks on.

City were boosted in their win over the Magpies by the return of captain Kevin De Bruyne, who has missed the majority of this season with a hamstring injury he picked up against Burnley in the club’s season opener.

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Defender John Stones, out since December 27 with an ankle injury, also trained with the first team over the weekend.

Guardiola will be hoping the return of three of his key players will go smoothly as they fight for trophies on three fronts in the season run-in.

City are currently five points off Liverpool with a game in hand as they look to win a fourth consecutive league title.